Michael has a recitation he first heard in a pub in
west Clare in Ireland, as given by Patrick Lynch there.
It is in an isolated area of Clare, south of Milltown Malbay
near Spanish Point and Quilty.

Michaels ‘Keenan’ family roots hail from the north of
Ireland and his ‘MacNamara’ roots come from County
Clare. The recitation has a few Irish language words in it,
but it is not necessary to know the Irish words to
understand the recittaion. Michael first heard the recitation
in the 1980’s and surmises it is a creation of the latter half
of the 20th century. It is only a page and a half. Author
anonymous for now. You’ll have to listen in to the podcast
to get the full poetic impact when recited.
Here is one version of the recitation of the day:

Uair amháin – fadó, fadó,
On a little farm near Carraroe,
Lived buachaill maith named Mícheál mór.
An only son of thirty four.

When work was done at end of day
He’d settle down with cupán tae
And seldom felt he’d time to stroll
Or spend the evening time ag ól,
His intellectual needs were drawn
From books like Peig and Iosagán.

So it was, bliain in, bliain out
Our Mícheál hadn’t moved about.
Oh, He dreamt of cailíns – most men do-
But had never sinned, an dtuigeann tú ?
Meanwhile – up in Átha Cliath –
a cailín deas had a bright idea
When laethanta saoire time came by
decided she would like to try
áit beag, ciúin, like Carraroe.
No foreign food – not far to go
There to meet the native clan
Agus b’fhéidir, find yourself a man.

This cailín deas with eyes so blue
Was known in town as City Sue.
The lusty buachaillí came crawling
And all agreed she was go h-álainn.
She left her men in states of shock
Oh Mícheál Mór – bí cúramach !
This scarlet woman knows each trick
She’s heading west – beware a mhic !
The light shone in the Parish Hall
For the local Fáinne-wearers Ball.
Bhí Mícheál ann….. Bhí Susie ann….

Dressed in a most revealing gown.
Our brave Cuchulainn of the West
His hurling medals across his chest
Exclaimed – when City Sue came in;
“In ainm Dé ! – well féach ar sin !”
Though nervous – still – he’d take a chance
“Céad Míle Fáilte – will you dance ?”
Go luath, on the floor they strut
Cheek to cheek – from head to foot.
She whispered into Mícheál’s ear:
“Éist liom now, let’s disappear,
We’ll use my place, – the door’s unlocked,
You’ll stay the night – in Seomra a h-ocht”.

Chríost ! Mícheál’s ceann was in a spin,
Ní raibh se thinking thoughts mar sin !
He blessed himself – this Jezebel
Would surely draw his soul to Hell.
He stood aghast – could hardly stutter
So off he bolted – ar a rothar
And straight abhaile – into bed
and decades of the rosary said.
Mícheál Mór still sleeps alone
In his leaba bheag – Ochón Ochón !
He often dreams of Seomra a h-ocht ….
What might have been, Oh Mícheál bocht !
-End-

Irish Explained

We discuss a bit about the Irish words used
in this recitation, and Irish language in
Ireland. Michael Collier has agreed to return
next week for more !

Until we meet again, I hope you’ll be remembering
the best of Your Irish Heritage…

*************************************
About Your Host
The worlds most published author his field, Mike
O’Laughlin has written 40 books; edits 2 newsletters;
publishes the works of 10 Irish authors; and has
written over 700 articles. He also hosts three broadcast
series, including the first weekly podcast on Irish
Family History.

His works include a 34 book set on Irish Family
Research and classic reprints like The Annals of Ireland
by the Four Masters. Five additional volumes were
released in February of 2008.

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